Letters to the editor

Thanks for the yellow ribbons

Dear Editor,

What a breath of fresh air! I drove down Austin Street and much to my delight, I saw yellow ribbons and American Flags everywhere! I cannot tell you how much this means to the military families to see that our community supports our troops. My husband has left for his second tour in Iraq after being injured, and seeing such an outpour makes my heart swell with pride. My husband was called up with the 308th Quartermaster in Washington, Iowa, and he told me how that small town gave them such a heartwarming send-off. They organized a parade during which businesses and schools closed so that everyone could line the streets waving flags and signs of well-wishes. It was so overwhelming that it moved a unit of over 300 tough soldiers to tears.

I pray that everyone in our community will show the same support for the 735th. I encourage everyone to attend the rally on Nov. 1, because you have no idea how much it means the these men and women and the families they are leaving behind. You know there is a saying in the Army: "Army Wife, toughest job in the Army!"

I can certainly attest to that. That is why I would like to share a poem with all fellow military members and families:

Got Your Back

I am a small and precious child, my dad's been sent to fight;

The only place I'll see his face, is in my dreams at night.

He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track;

I may be sad, but I am proud, My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother, my son has gone to war;

My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.

Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black;

I may be scared, but I am proud, My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go.

There are times I am terrified in a way most will never know.

I bite my lip and force a smile, as I watch my husband pack.

My heart may break, but I am proud, My husband's got your back.

I am a soldier ... serving proudly, standing brave and tall.

I fight for freedom, yours and mine, by answering this call.

I do my job while knowing, the thanks it sometimes lacks.

Say a prayer that I'll come home, It's ME who's got your back!

-- Author Unknown

I would like to thank those who took the time and cared enough to put up the ribbons and flags. It touched this Army wife very deeply and I can never thank you enough. May God Bless You and May God Bless America!

Proud Family of Sgt. Thomas L. Piper,

Angie, Spencer and Tucker Piper

Good business, bad location

Dear editor:

It is always good when new business comes to town.

However, it is almost always bad when an historic building such as the Weltmer institute building has to be destroyed to make room for the new business.

Family Video will be a welcome retail chain in Nevada, but it seems like they could have found another location for their store.

There are plenty of empty buildings an Austin and Osage and plenty of empty lots suitable for building in high traffic areas.

The best idea, I believe, would have put them on the Square.

The town leaders and others who seek to revitalize the downtown should seriously think about inviting a major retailer to the Square. People would go to the Square to rent and buy videos just as quick as they will go to Austin and Ash. Retail stores dotted the Square right up into the 1980s and mixed well with the locally-owned establishments. We used to have A&P, Food Town, Coast to Coast Western Auto, JC Penny, Wards, Sears, Gambles, Kresses, TG & Y, Gibson's Discount Center and Ben Franklin to name a few; some were located on the Square, and some were located off the Square.

At the present time, the Square is mostly as mixture of a few locally-owned businesses and businesses which offer services. We could use a chain or two up there.

And if you think it doesn't work anymore, check out Vermont. They put most of their big chain stores in or near the downtown areas of communities.

Yes it's a paradox -- a welcome hello to Family Video but a sad goodbye to the Weltmer-Milster building which was part of Nevada's history for more than a century.

David Shipp

Nevada